Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 98. (Budapest 2006)

Makranczy, Gy.: Systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the genera in the Carpelimus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)

types of synonymizcd names), and for a significant portion for the genera used as outgroups. Considering the many authors who contributed to the knowledge of Oxytelinae this was a major task. Methods of preparation Preparation techniques for the genitalia. The whole study is based largely on a new preparation technique for the genitalia (and genital segments) and the features investigated due to their accessibility attained by these preparations. There are many techniques described in the literature; they belong to two major groups: 1. Slide mounting techniques: these are based on regular microscope (glass) slides and different covering (cover slips, spacing, or none of these). These methods also require a mounting medium in which the structures are embedded and which fills the space between the glass surfaces. The two regularly used mounting media in entomology are Canada Balsam and Euparal. Preferences towards these vary depending on the investigator, the group studied and the goals of the study. 2. Preparations made for identification structures still attached to pinned specimen: there is a great array of techniques used, which range from dried structures glued to mounting card, structure placed in microvial in glycerine and pinned under the specimen to embedded structures either on microslides or on a mounting card itself. The usefulness and value of these techniques vary according to the goals of the investigation and the taxon studied. Some general principles are as follows: a. groups with strongly sclerotizcd and reasonably large aedeagi (most Staphylininac and Pacderinae) can be studied successfully with diy mounts (as in technique 2 above), with only occasional exceptions, when the aedeagus has to be made transparent or is specially structured (e.g. Othiini, Xantholinini); b. the embedding system (described in technique 1 above) has distinct advantage in groups with lightly sclerotizcd aedeagi, and where sclerotizcd internal structures are critically important (Oxytelinae, Omaliinae, Stcninae, Tachyporinae); c. groups with strongly sclerotizcd aedeagi, but with a delicate internal sac, that can only be studied when everted (Oxyporinae, many Aleocharinac) or require other manipulation, may best be studied using the microvial system (also under technique 2 above). Below, I discuss only the embedding system, since this is the only major method offering success with Oxytelinae. In the literature and identification practices seen, the most widespread methods are embedding of structures in a drop of mounting medium (often glue) on the card or using a separate plastic slide (which can be pinned under the specimen) with some kind of either water-soluble, or other solvent-based mounting medium. Both methods impose difficulties and dangers: (1) the glue may not be readily removable from the preparation, therefore damaging it; or (2) the mounting medium after drying over long periods, may lose transparency or split from the object or the plastic slide. The chance of such disasters happening depends mainly on the chemical nature and cleanliness of the plastic card on which the structures are mounted, the cleanliness and condition of the medium, and the way it is applied. I experimented with the embedding system for years. For development and perfection of my technique, credit should be given to Dr. MlKAEL SÖRENSSON (Lund, Sweden) and Dr. JAN KLIMASZEWSKI (Quebec, Canada), who gave considerable advice and supplied mounting materials. The goal was to produce a microslide preparation that can be pinned under the specimen (Fig. 11) and still allow convenient examination of very delicate staictures like female genitalia. For the above mentioned reasons a microscopic slide preparation was always out of the question, but the transparency, optical clarity and methods of study had to be near that of regular microscope slides. An appropriately clean and medium-thin (approx. 0.5 mm thickness) plastic microslide with a drop of Euparal mounting medium proved the best approximation. Having removed it from the pin of a speci-